Packet
/ˈpækɪt/
Definitions
3 meaningsA small container or bundle, often sealed, that holds something.
/ˈpækɪt/
A small package or bundle.
He opened a packet of crackers and shared them with his friends.
💡 Simply: Imagine getting a little gift in the mail – that's a packet! It could be a tiny bag of chips, a small package of seeds, or a bunch of important papers.
👶 For kids: A small box or bag that holds something like cookies or cards.
More Examples
She sent a packet of information to the client.
The packet contained a small sample of perfume.
How It's Used
"She received a packet of seeds in the mail."
"The customs officer examined my packet of documents."
A formatted block of data transmitted across a network.
/ˈpækɪt/
A collection of data sent over a network.
The firewall filtered out malicious packets.
💡 Simply: When your computer sends information, it's like breaking a long letter into smaller envelopes. Each envelope, or 'packet,' has a piece of the message and an address so it can find its way.
👶 For kids: When computers talk, they send messages in tiny pieces, like puzzle pieces. Each piece is called a packet!
More Examples
Network congestion can cause packet loss.
Each packet contains header information and data.
How It's Used
"Data is transmitted over the internet in packets."
"The router directs each packet to its destination."
To put something into a packet or small containers for storage or distribution.
/ˈpækɪt/
To put something in a packet or packets.
The cookies were packeted in attractive, colorful wrappers.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're preparing snacks for a trip. 'Packet' is the action of putting those snacks into individual pouches or little bags so they are easy to carry and eat.
👶 For kids: To put something like snacks into little bags or boxes.
More Examples
She packeted the herbs for sale.
The factory packets the cereal in individual serving sizes.
How It's Used
"The tea was packeted in individual bags."
"The company packets all their goods for shipment."
Idioms & expressions
packet loss
The failure of packets of data to reach their destination in a network.
"Packet loss can lead to a degraded video streaming experience."
From Middle Dutch *pakket* or Old French *paquet*, both meaning 'bundle, package', ultimately from Proto-Germanic *pakkaz ('pack, bundle') and Proto-Germanic *pakkuz ('pack').
Historically, the word was used for small bundles of letters or goods for postal transport and later extended to digital communication.